2nd Year of Projects - Week 7

I have not been on the Internet for awhile and have missed blogging but have not been able to turn my notebook on and actually write anything.  But I am back today and even though I will be posting this I am not going to be adding this post to the Ravelry group.  I feel like a traitor for not commenting on all the amazing other blogs.

 

I must also update my Million Row counter!  Will have to work that out today and update it tomorrow!

 

Teacher Year End Presents (Middle November 2012)
1. Dream Stripes (30 June - 05 July) FO Friday Post
2. Holden (04 July - 08 July) FO Friday Post
3. Shizuku (09 July - 10 July) FO Friday Post
4. Saroyan (11 July - 13 July) FO Friday Post
5. Amari (14 July - 16 July) FO Friday Post
6. Oaklet (18 July - 21 July) FO Friday Post
7. Ugly Ripple (23 July -25 July) FO Friday Post
8. Wingspan Teeny (7 August - 9 August) FO Friday Post
9-21


Blankets
1. Pudding Blanket 1 - Zig and Zag 100%
2. Monster Blanket 1 - Monster Bulleyes 100%

 

Birthday Presents

1. Stepsister 1 Birthday (December) - Bright Squares Modified Blanket

To take part in the fun of the YOP challenge and to see other bloggers lists and progress go the Come Blog-a-long group on Ravelry

2nd Year of Projects - Week 6

Teacher Year End Presents (Middle November 2012)
1. Dream Stripes (30 June - 05 July) FO Friday Post
2. Holden (04 July - 08 July) FO Friday Post
3. Shizuku (09 July - 10 July) FO Friday Post
4. Saroyan (11 July - 13 July) FO Friday Post
5. Amari (14 July - 16 July) FO Friday Post
6. Oaklet (18 July - 21 July) FO Friday Post
7. Ugly Ripple (23 July -25 July) FO Friday Post
8. Wingspan Teeny (7 August - 9 August) FO Friday Post
9-21

My Ravellenic Games project was the Zig and Zag blanket for Pudding and as it is also one of my YOP projects I set out with determination to start and finish his blanket.  However life had different ideas and I am still just over half way through this project.  But I will continue with it just on a slower pace.

Blankets
1. Pudding Blanket 1 - Zig and Zag 50%

I have also joined a new group on Ravelry called the 1 Million Row Challenge.  Its just a challenge to knit 1 million rows out of stash only.  And as that is what this is what I am doing this year I thought it would be fantastic to see how I can achieve that.  Now you can start anytime and you start with your current WIP's I have only added the Zig and Zag blanket at the moment but will add my Super Wonder Blanket tomorrow when I knit some of it.  I haven't counted how many rows I have done on that one yet.  All you do is join the group register at TickerFactory.com and away you go.  My counter is posted at the top of my blog and I will be updating only once a week.  Hopefully that way it will grow quickly!

To take part in the fun of the YOP challenge and to see other bloggers lists and progress go the Come Blog-a-long group on Ravelry

2nd Year of Projects - Week 4

After taking an extremely long break from blogging awhile ago, I have really gotten back into it and am loving it.  Yesterday however I wasn't able to blog, well we left home at 08:00 and got back home at 20:30 just in time to watch the swimming at the Olympics.  And I was shattered as soon as the South African's had swum I was in bed and asleep.

We went to Benoni to watch my niece dance, she does Scottish dancing and it was really nice to see them all as they live in Natal.  Boy they have grown up, it astounds me every time I see them, which is not as often as we would like. 

Then it was off to my Daddy who always has a Christmas is July party.  So we had Christmas Dinner with all the trimmings.  It is always good to eat that amount and not feel as sick because of the heat.  As Christmas here in South Africa is slap bang in the middle of Summer.  There was just under 30 of us and it was good.

I have had the feeling all morning while laying in bed, yes it's almost 10:30 and I'm still in bed.  Ha, ha, ha.  Love having kids that can feed themselves in the mornings.  I missed blogging yesterday and this is why you are getting a long winded one today.  Making up for lost time.

This will be my last contribution to YOP until after the Ravellenic Games, so see you then.

Teacher Year End Presents (Middle November 2012)
1. Dream Stripes (30 June - 05 July) FO Friday Post
2. Holden (04 July - 08 July) FO Friday Post
3. Shizuku (09 July - 10 July) FO Friday Post
4. Saroyan (11 July - 13 July) FO Friday Post
5. Amari (14 July - 16 July) FO Friday Post
6. Oaklet (18 July - 21 July) FO Friday Post
7.  Ugly Ripple (23 July -25 July) FO Friday Post
8-21

  

To take part in the fun of the YOP challenge and to see other bloggers lists and progress go the Come Blog-a-long group on Ravelry.

2nd Year of Projects - Week 3

I am loving stash busting and knowing that at the end of the school year I won't have a mad rush to buy teachers presents and land up spending way more than I wanted to.  I am sure I will get one more done this week before the Ravellenic Games start on Friday and hopefully another 200g stash busted.

Teacher Year End Presents (Middle November 2012)
1. Dream Stripes (30 June - 05 July) FO Friday Post
2. Holden (04 July - 08 July) FO Friday Post
3. Shizuku (09 July - 10 July) FO Friday Post
4. Saroyan (11 July - 13 July)  FO Friday Post
5. Amari (14 July - 16 July) FO Friday Post
6. Oaklet (18 July - 21 July)
7 - 21

    

  

Now that you have seen my progress, go to the Ravelry Group Come Blog Along and see how the rest of the crafters are getting along with their YOP2 lists.



2nd Year of Projects - Week 2

I had a bit of a slow week as I have my stash down choices were not very inspiring to me.  But I forged ahead.
Teacher Year End Presents (Middle November 2012)
1. Dream Stripes (30 June - 05 July) FO Friday Post
2. Holden (04 July - 08 July) FO Friday Post
3. Shizuku (09 July - 10 July) FO Friday Post
4. Saroyan (11 July - 13 July)
5. Amari (14 July
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Now that you have seen my progress, go to the Ravelry Group Come Blog Along and see how the rest of the crafters are getting along with their YOP2 lists.

2nd Year of Projects - Week 1

 

I am currently knitting like a storm trooper to get the Teacher Year End Presents done.   These I am moving to the top of the list as I have a fair amount of them to do

Teacher Year End Presents (Middle November 2012)
1.    Dream Stripes Shawl (30 June - 05 July) FO Friday Post
2.    Holden (04 July -
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Now that you have seen my progress, go to the Ravelry Group Come Blog Along and see how the rest of the crafters are getting along with their YOP2 lists.

FO Friday - Week 13

I have not had much time this week to craft but I was determined to have a FO to show you.

    

My beautiful Dream Stripes Shawl

Yes it still needs to be blocked, I finished this last night just before racing Monster to ER with his asthma :(.  He didn't have to stay in but we spent most of the night there and he is on medications to help him.

  

Lovely Multnomah Shawl

Both these were knitted with Double Knitting and size 5mm needles and came out bigger than the pattern but I love that and am truly happy with both of them.  These patterns will definitely be knitted again.

There are lots more FO's to see over on Tami Ami's blog.  So grab a coffee or tea and go and see.

End of Year Presents Thursday Update - Week 2

Total to be made: 27
Total made to date: 7
Total still to be completed: 20
Total gifted: 1

Before the great move started I did manage to finish the Multnomah Shawl but you will have to wait until tomorrow for the FO.

I am on row 9 of 21 in the lace repeat on my Dream Stripes Shawl, I will definitely try to get that finished for tomorrow.  Wouldn't that be something.  While I was waiting for help with the lace I started an Orange Holden.  WOW I have two WIP's!!!

On the moving front, quick update,  we have postponed the movers until the flooring is complete, as Monster had a really horrific asthma attack on Tuesday night due to all the dust he's been exposed to.  But that doesn't mean that we get to rest, Pudding and I are busy bees moving all the non daily used stuff.  We are really proud to have completely moved three rooms already apart from big furniture.

2nd Year of Projects - Project List

As much of this list as possible will be made with my current stash.  I know that this year I will stick to my list as I have this list every year.

01 July 2012 - 31 December 2012
Nephew Birthday (November)
Stepsister 1 Birthday (December)
Shake Shake Birthday (December)

Teacher Year End Presents (21) (November)

Daddy Christmas
Shake Shake Christmas
Sister Christmas
Niece Christmas
Nephew Christmas
Stepsister 1 Christmas
Stepsister 2 Christmas

Monster Blanket 1
Monster Blanket 2
Pudding Blanket 1
Pudding Blanket 2

01 January 2013 - 30 June 2013
Niece Birthday (March)
Daddy Birthday (April)
Stepsister 2 Birthday (April)
Sister Birthday (May)
Mother's Day (May)
Father's Day (June)

Teacher Year End Presents (To be updated in January 2013)

Now that you have seen my somewhat boring list , go to the Ravelry Group Come Blog Along and see other people way more exciting lists.

Year of Projects II

Last year I attempted this and well failed.  I realised that I made my list far too specific and got bored with it, changed it numerous times and then well, having a concrete list of projects to do is not for me, I am a more fluid crafter and like the fact that on that day I can choose what I want to make with a specific yarn.

So with this in mind I am going to make a new list, but it is going to be very general.  For example Shake Shake's birthday (December 2012).  I always have these kinds of lists floating around and add to them and remove off, but this list is one that I can work with and I know I can stick to it.

I know that this ties in perfectly with my Stash Down initiative that I am busy with.  Hooray!

Pop on over to the group on Ravelry to find out more and join us on this journey.  It starts next week with everyone posting their lists.  Hope to see you there.

Bad Blogger

I have been to worst blogger for a long time now and have missed it some days and other not so much. 

I am reading blogs everyday and find them very inspirational and creative.  But haven't felt the need to blog myself for awhile. 

I decided today that this is going to change I am going to blog more often and go back to joining all the wonderful and inspirational blog links that I have missed, funny cause it felt like that was all I was blogging about before I stopped.

So I am going to do WIP Wednesday's and FO Friday's with Tami Amis.  I am going to do the Year of Projects but differently this year which starts on the 01 July and I am hoping that I can join the Shawl along by Sarah at Crafts with Cwitch.

So I will be seeing you very soon

Epic Fail

I have not touched my list for months!  Literally months!  I am in trouble.  I have been on a mission to get Teachers thank you gifts done and blacket for a birthday present that I didn't add to the list!

EPIC FAILURE!  I will have to once this is all finished no matter what the weather.  Get myself organised and get back on track.

I love reading all your posts about your lists and admire your pictures of yarn goodies.  Keep them coming as they inspire me to push through.

Bored

As much as I love the IRB RWC Ripple, Iam longing to do my other projects as well. It takes me a full day to add six rows to it. At the moment I need more variety in my crochet life.

My plan add one colour a day, be it a two row or a four row. Weave in the ends of the previous colour! Eliminating mass weave in at the end.

Do one colour of the AF blanket a day which has been neglected for a long time.

And cause I didn't have enough to do, I signed up for the Instangram Granny Square along! Which is to make five granny squares a week! They are already on week three, so I'm behind by fifteen!

Oh and just to make sure I'm not slacking! Frog at least two rows of Take My Time (it's too narrow)

WIP Wednesday - Week 10

It's Wednesday!  And this week in our house means short week!!  HOORAY.  No school tomorrow or Friday!!!

I won't keep you long, just check out the slow progress of the massive ripple.

Don't forget to pop over to Tami Ami's to check out the other amazing WIP's

Year of Projects - Week 10

Yes this is another IRB RWC Ripple Blanket update!

These photos were taken yesturday and it's been too hot today to even think about this mass if ripples on my lap, while I add more beautiful colours to it

I Can't Believe It

I mentioned yesturday that I will need extra wool for my RWC blanket, well read yesturday's blog. This morning I got an email from Deramores in the UK saying that they are have discounted all DK wool.  So I popped off to check not thinking that with our revolting exchange rate it would make any difference to my local LYS price.

I was so shocked to find out that even with shipping it is R200 cheaper!  That's right.  So I ordered it.  I couldn't believe it.  I said to the Bank Manager I am definitely going to make use of the special offers that overseas sites make on yarn from now on.  I always assumed that it would be more expensive.

This is me doing the happy dance that I saved R200!!!

RWC Blanket

This is a long story and excuse me if you get bored.

As you might remember I am making a blanket during the AWESOME Rugby World Cup.  Alright maybe not so AWESOME, both my countries England (birth country) and South Africa are out!

Each country has a colour and the plan was to make a square for each game and then sew them all up, well you get the picture.  But I didn't start out with that, hooked by the Neat Ripple pattern and the fact that there would be NO sewing up of squares I started this pattern

And all seemed well until I realised I was making so many mistakes and it was supposed to be a big blanket for a king sized bed and it wasn't growing at all quick enough.  I did alot more rows of this and eventually frogged it.  I know I was just as upset but I couldn't carry on.

Then I said to myself I'm going back to the squares, I can do them quickly and make them bigger.  So I grabbed my Harmony guide and chose this pattern

When I had finished all the squares, I announced to the Bank Manager, I seriously dislike this pattern.  I have since then gone back and read the pattern and wow another one I didn't read properly.  So with 80 squares made and sewn up and then I had gone around 5 times, I had a pile of ugly squares.  And mind you I am now running out of time, to get a king size blanket out.

Now I am lacking inspiration and to say the least it's seriously getting me down.  I am paging through the piles of magazines I have and see a square that looks super cute.

This square called for a 6mm hook but I didn't like the way it was so holey, so I went down, and then down again to a 4mm hook.  But in doing that the square turned out tiny.  I carried on and made a total of 24 in one day.  So quick and easy.  I layed them out on my bed and well they ran the length of the bed but didn't cover the width.  I worked it out that I would need nearly 240 squares for the size I want.  That was so not happening!

I am now totally overwhelmed with this blanket.  My Bank Manager and boys look at me and say make a pattern you know.  So I grab my 6mm hook and chain 353 and yes another Neat Ripple is born, but this one is oh so spectacular.  Firstly there are no mistakes, secondly the way the colours are working out using the games that have been played at the RWC is spectacular. 

I have done 4 rows for the winning country and 2 for the loosing country.  For the one and only draw that has taken place I will do 3 rows for each country. 

The only gripe I have is that it takes me around 20min to do one row!  I know insane right!  So I will not be finished this by the end of the RWC.

I have done more than the next picture shows however I have left this post too late and have no daylight.

Iam managing to do 6 rows a day, so one game.  But still not going to be finished by the 23rd.  You are going to see alot of this blanket because I have decided that until it's finished there will be no other projects being done!

I think I am going to have to make a LYS run as I have make so many other squares that the two balls of each colour I purchased is almost depleted and these rows being so long are chewing up the remaining meters I have.

One last thing, I have missed you all and am very happy to be blogging again.

RWC Blanket Decision

Today I made myself decide what pattern I am going to do for my RWC blanket.  I armed myself with the two balls I got for swatching, the 4 patterns I had chosen, the correct hooks and needles and off I went to my friend for coffee.

Once I had finished pulling my hair out, trying to teach her how to do the granny stripe blanket, she is a real show and tell and not a follow written pattern type of gal.  Love her to pieces, but I really have to remind myself constantly to have patience.  It reminds me why I could never be a teacher. 

We call her couches the sleepy couches, there is something about them.  When you sit on them for awhile you get really sleepy.  When my phone alarm went off reminding me to fetch the boys, I realised I hadn't actually done a thing!  My bag was still all nicely packed.  But the catch up and visit was so worth it.

During swimming I was chatting so nicely to one of the lovely mums that I again didn't even make a start.

Home.  Now I have to do something!  Right!  I got out the 4 patterns and got my hook and started with the 2 crochet patterns.  I didn't like either one of them.  The hook sizes in the patterns were either too big and left holes, or too small and it was tiny.  So they both got ripped out.

Coffee break.    I get out my well now favourite crochet books.  The Harmony Guide.  And start paging through.  I find these four stitch patterns and what's app them to Shake Shake.

Shake Shake immediately replies that the waves and Chevron Stitch is definitely her favourite!  So I get out my hooks and start working up a swatch.  Now I know that I definitely need to use a size bigger hook for my chains but seriously for the swatches I didn't.

Yes they are both actually the same colour, but the top one was taken in daylight and the bottom much later.  The top one was done with a size 4mm hook and the bottom with a 5mm hook. Both look amazing to me.  The 4mm is a lot more dense so not sure if that is the way I wanna go.  Will have to decide.  But the pattern even if it's not squares still lends itself to two colours per day being worked which is my plan for this blanket.

I am happy and feel alot more relaxed now that I have made the decision on the pattern for the RWC blanket.

I have in all this not done one row on Take My Time today so tomorrow will have to do double the amount of rows.

Oh well, I had much needed chat and tea time today.

Year of Projects - Week 9

I have added 30 more rows to Take My Time and it's not even half way big enough.  This is going to be a long termer.  I have been toying with the idea of doing 4 colours (8 rows) everyday, just so I can get it done.  Oh and Monster has decided he wants his room to go back to blue, so he doesn't even want this blanket anymore!!!!  So I will have to find a new home for it.

Ribby hasn't been touched since Tuesday but this week I am going to set a goal for myself.  Haven't decided what it will be but I will get it finished before Friday as RWC starts!

Today I will finish the 8 rows of Take My Time and then I want to make the four different squares I have in mind for my RWC blanket and see which ones I like doing and which ones the recipient likes.


Good Luck to all my fellow YOPers and don't forget to go over to When Did I Become A Knitter and check out more.

Year of Projects - Week 8

The only project that actually should be shown here is Take My Time, I have done 8 rows on it this week!  I have also go to the sewing stage of Red Butler. 

I have worked out this week I want to have completed 26 rows on the Take My Time and 38 rows on the Ice Cream and the 2 rounds of the border.  Cause next week I want to knit Ribby for Pudding. 

When I am knitting, I miss crochet, when I am crochet, I miss knitting, I can't win!

Have a good week everyone!